The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-12-02
MUNICIPAL MATTERS.
In Which are Included Taxes, Pumps
and the New Map.


Editor Morning Ne,cS: Undoubtedly
the assessment question is difficult one to
legislate upon. The present municipal adj
ministration seems to have given satisfac-
ton heretofore in their settlement of this
question. They will doubtless succeed as
happily this time, though at first the chronic
grumblers may growl.
Whether the rate be lowered and the
valuations increased, or the valuations be
lowered and the rate increased, will make
but little difference to the mass of taxpay-
ers, because each one in the end will pay
about the same number of dollars and cents.
Indirectly, however, it must make differ
ence to each one as component part of
great community, because the greatest good
must surely follow one of the two plans
The method of valuing or assessing
property by the city has been by
no recognized standard. 1t was
not according to the market value
what it could be sold at if negotiated fairly
nor was it at a certain percentage of that
value. Neither was it according to value
of lot and probable cost of building, nor
again us to its ability to earn rent. 1t is
much easier for me to say what was not the
method than to describe or guess at what
was.
The proofs are numerous that actual sales
vary largely in different portions of the
city from the assessed values. 1t is equally
well known that this variation exists in
some instances upon the same block. 1t has
been asserted, with what truth know not,
that at some time in the past valuation
was fixed which became the standard;
and, according to the city's needs,
this was reduced or increased at
certain rates, and the figures thus
obtained continue to be held sacred
for reference and guidance. In no spirit of
captious or ungenerous criticism is this
meant. The dignified, amiable old gentle
men who face wind and sunshine day after
day in an open phRton have a thanllless,
unenviable job. The suffering that is in
store for these victims of municipal soph-
IStry will end only at the grave. The
privacy of home, the sanctity of the Sab
bath, the publicity of street car travel
nothing will ever shield them from the
searching inquiry of their fellow citizens as
to How did you get my property so highW
There therefore seems to be no standard
of values, but an arbitrary rule for each
piece, the condition of the owner and other
circumstances, possibly, entering into the
calculations.
Is it not better to adopt as a standard the
market value of the property2 This admits
of being proven in case of dispute. II
shows to the world what our city is worth.
II gives a solid basis for calculation of
wealth and value of bonds 1t invites out
side investments in city when the rate is
low. IL gives credit to individuals, the
city's valuations being ofton referred to in
such cases.
1t has been said, however, that it operates
unJustly i'll the matter of State and county
taxes There will be three assessors for
Chatham county, who are sworn 10 do
their duty justly in this matter They may
or may not accept city valuations as their
standard. They may take them at 90 or IS
per cent. for their basis The county, like
the city, must raise a given amount of
money, and the rate depends entirely upon
the values returned. It therefore makes
but little difference to tho individual tax
payer. If the demands are great upon the
county his taxes will be correspondingly
increased. II is therefore TO the interest Of